Roll structure



May 29, 1951 R. STEFFENS ROLL STRUCTURE Filed Jqne 10, 1947 INVENTOR.

Patented May 29, 1951 UNITED PATENT OFFICE ROLL STRUCTURE 1 Lester R. Steflens, Pitman, N. J. Application June 10, 1947, Serial No. 753,694 (clans-46 2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a roll structure and is more particularly concerned with a roll structure comprising composite rolls.

As is well known in the art, rolls of sheet material are wound about a core which is adapted to revolve about a spindle, whereby the sheet material may be unwound from the core as required. This simple device is resorted to in the storage of toilet paper, metal foil, wrapping paper, photographic film, in general, any material which is utilized in sheet form. It is also well known that no storage facilities are provided in these roll structures for replenishing the sheet material when it is completely used.

I have now found a new combination whereby it is possible to store within a roll structure an additional roll of sheet material which can become readily available when needed and simultaneously provide additional storage space for another roll of sheet material for future use.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a roll structure of novel construction. It is another object of the present invention to afford a roll structure which embodies storage facilities for additional rolls of sheet material. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel roll structure which is practical and commercially feasible.

Other objects of the present invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the sheet of drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a roll structure in accordance with this invention; and

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the roll structure shown in Figure 1.

Broadly stated, my invention comprises a roll structure which comprises a roll of sheet material embracing a roll of sheet material folded and similar to the roll of sheet material first mentioned.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 which represent a preferred embodiment of my invention, a roll of sheet material I is wound about a large core 2. The sheet material may be paper, photographic film, resinous material, and the like. The large core 2 is of sufficient size for the insertion therein of a smaller core 3 and for another roll of sheet material 4 which, preferably, is similar to the roll of sheet material I and which is also wound about a large core 5 similar to large core 2. The composite roll 4 and large core 5 are folded so as to fit within the large core 2 in such a manner as to anchor the smaller core 3 in a position whereby the entire structure may revolve about an axis represented by the axis of the smaller core 3. The folded composite roll 4 and large core 5 when removed from within the large core 2 and unfolded, will have inner dimensions adapted to embrace another folded composite roll 4 and large core 5, as well as another small core 3, as explained hereinbefore. If desired, the space 6 within the large core 2 can be filled with material in order to anchor the smaller core 3.

The large cores 2 and 5 and the smaller core 3 may be of any desired shape provided the roll structure is permitted to revolve about a spindle, and may be made of any suitable material such as cardboard, metal, wood, etc., provided that, particularly in the case of the larger cores, the material will stand folding and unfolding.

In operation, the roll structure is mounted on a spindle which is inserted within the small core 3, whereby the entire roll structure revolves thereabout. When the outer roll of sheet material I is consumed, the folded composite roll of sheet material 4 and large core 5 are removed from within the large core 2 and unfolded. Roll 4 is then ready for use, and at any convenient time, another composite folded roll of sheet material 4 and large core 5 and smaller core 3, as described hereinbefore, can be placed inside the original roll 4 and core 5, to be available when required. In practice, the positioning of the folded roll of the composite roll of sheet material 4 and large core 5 within the large core 2 is carried out in such a manner that the smaller core 3 is substantially coaxial with the larger core 2. For obvious practical purposes, the smaller core -3 and the large core 2, preferably, are of equal length. The entire roll structure may be marketed as a complete unit in a suitable wrapper 1.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention may assume various structures. For example, a roll of sheet material may be folded and inserted within a similar or dissimilar roll of sheet material; one or both of these rolls of sheet material may be wound about suitable cores. Further, a roll of sheet material may be folded and together with a smaller core may be inserted within a similar or dissimilar roll of sheet material. Again, one or both of these rolls of sheet material may be wound about suitable cores.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is understood that modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A new article of manufacture comprising a core, a roll of sheet material wound about said core, another core, another roll of sheet material positioned about said second-mentioned core, the second-mentioned roll of sheet material and the second-mentioned core being folded and positioned within said first-mentioned core.

2. A new article of manufacture comprising a large core, a roll of sheet material wound about said large core, a smaller core longitudinally positioned Within said large core, another large core, another roll of sheet material wound about the second-mentioned large core, said secondmentioned roll of sheet material and said secondmentioned large core being folded about said smaller core and positioned within the first- 2o mentioned large core and adapted to substantially anchor said small core within the firstmentioned large core in longitudinal position coaxially with the first-mentioned large core.

LESTER R. STEFFENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are. of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 733,282 Scott July 7, 1903 880,276 Corraine Feb. 25, 1908 1,951,561 Robichaud Mar. 20, 1934 1,963,233 Goldstein June 19, 1934 2,130,728 Berkman Sept. 20, 1938 2,345,190 Freund Mar. 28, 1944 

